CPI urges TN to declare city as state joint capital

Tiruchirapalli, Feb 17: The Communist Party of India (CPI) Tiruchirapalli-unit has urged the Tamil Nadu Government to declare Tiruchirapalli as a joint capital of the State..

CPI, while adopting a resolution to this effect in a three-day conference of the party here yesterday said, since the city is centrally located and considering its proximity to the State, some of the department and sections in the Secretariat could be shifted here.

The party urged the Railway Ministry to introduce suburban electric train services to mitigate the hardships faced by the farmers, workers and school students, while commuting between the city and Tiruverambur, Thuvakudi and Golden Rock, among others, in view of increasing congestion in road-traffic.

In another resolution, the party urged for upgrading the K A P Viswanatham Government Medical College Hospital on par with All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). The shifting of some projects to Salem, caused resentment among the people. The Centre also should allot adequate funds to upgrade Tiruchirapalli Hospital, the resolution said.

The conference urged the Government to allot adequate funds to implement the proposed flood prevention project for the city. Though repeated announcements were made on mega projects to prevent flooding, the scheme was yet to take off, it said.

The conference also demanded the implementation of Sethusamudram Shipping Channel Project(SSCP) and criticised the communal forces for attempting to sabotage it, especially the AIADMK.

The conference urged the Centre to withdraw the hike in prices of petroleum products, as it would affect the common man.